The furure is here. Goodbye Perry!The eve of our college football season is upon us. The electricity is building in the air. The Huskies are either in route or have already arrived. Destiny is at hand. It is time for one more article before the season begins. Hopefully this will rev you up even more for the college football season close at hand.
Friday Aug. 31, 8pm, Syracuse, NY, Live on ESPN and ESPNHD (awesome)
The Washington Huskies travel to the Carrier Dome, a world away from their campus. Ty Willingham brings his squad, 5-7 in 2006, to take on the Orange, who went 4-8 in 2006. The last time Ty came to the Dome, he was at the helm of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, who lost to a floundering Syracuse team 38-12 in 2003. With two very similar situations, this game should be close, and one Washington blogger gives his team the win. On a night where they will unveil the new statue of Ernie Davis I think the Orange come out guns-a-blazing on opening night and win 27 to 17 on national television. I will be in the Carrier Dome for the game and will have the complete and usual postgame reactions after the long Labor Day weekend, most likely Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. I’d file it sooner but I’ll be enjoying wine shushes and the famous butter sculpture at the Great New York State Fair.
Now, I’m sure you have heard that this game has “almost sold out” and that we have sold between 42,000 and 45,000 seats. Well, unlike these other blogs, I have an inside source in the Athletic Department, who told me that they have actually only sold around 22,000 tickets. Disappointing news for Orange Nation. Disappointing news for Darryl Gross. However, the game still should be great. I just hope the Dome does not look too empty in High Def.
So what should you look for in the Big East this year? Time to do a little conference wrap up to companion my 2007 Football Prospectus.
Best QB – Even though Mr. White at WVU is outstanding, I think I have to give the edge to Brian Brohm at L’Ville. He is exciting and I think just a slightly more talented passer.
Best RB – This is a double dip because both Pat White and Steve Slaton at WVU deserve much credit. Honorable mention to Ray Rice at Rutgers. Too bad he does not wear an Orange jersey.
Best Matchup – Any fool will pick Louisville taking on West Virginia. However, I also think that Rutgers taking on South Florida will be an interesting game, because they could be battling for third in the Big East, or the both could have fallen apart by then.
Easiest Schedule – You have heard it before, but it is clearly Rutgers and UConn. I hate how we give bowl bids to teams with six wins, even if they came against Maine, Army, and 1-AA Norfolk State.
Hardest Schedule – It is probably us, but this does not even deserve analysis because it gets even worse in the coming years.
Team most fun to watch- I think I would say West Virginia. The duo of Slaton and White, plus their improved defense should be extremely entertaining. I will also give it to Pittsburgh, because this may be a train wreck of a season. Like a car accident you can not look away from.
Biggest Questions – Can Pittsburgh actually compete now that they have a new QB and no one outstanding to throw to? Will USF continue their success behind QB Matt Grothe, or will the off season transgressions catch up to the golden boy? Can Cincinnati compete with a new system, new coach, and not a very good squad? Can Syracuse finally start the upswing of rebuilding the program to glory, or will Coach Robinson end his coaching career this season having been a disgrace to the color Orange? Can UConn players actually manage to keep their noses clean, only to beat up on Temple and Akron? Find out these answers and more as the 2007 Big East season continues…
Well there you have it. I’m chomping at the bit to get to the Dome and see some college football live and in person. The Dome on opening night, electricity in the air, and maybe a nice win and a trip down to the Varsity to flip a banner. It could all happen and this Big East season still has some surprises and awesome moments yet to come. If you manage to stay out of trouble that is.
Labels: 2007 Big East Football Prospectus, Big East, Football
Empty metal bleachers look fantastic in high definition.
Who is this mole in the athletic offices that you speak of BH?
I got a guy. It's on the level.